It is reasonable for the Diet to discuss the Constitution, which is the supreme law, constantly. Political parties must engage in constructive discussions at the commissions on the Constitution in both Diet chambers by separating the issue from political situations.
Maneuvering has continued between the Liberal Democratic Party, which has called for holding sessions of the House of Representatives' Commission on the Constitution early, and the opposition parties, which have refused the call. Free debate sessions in which political parties express their views on the Constitution have not been held since November last year.
They cannot escape from being criticized for delinquency if the bodies, tasked with deliberating original drafts on amending the Constitution, do not fulfill their primary roles.
The LDP hopes to present draft clauses concerning four items, which include stipulating the legal basis of the Self-Defense Forces in the Constitution, at the commissions. In his policy speech at the Diet, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for debate on the Constitution, saying, "With the political parties presenting their concrete revision proposals, it will be possible to gain a broad consensus."
To deepen public understanding of constitutional revision, detailed discussions based on specific draft clauses are essential.
It is questionable that some opposition parties have not changed their stance of opposing "constitutional revision under the Abe Cabinet."
During a question-and-answer lower house session by party leaders, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Edano stated his view, saying, "The substance of the Constitution is binding state power." He then said, "It is out of the question that the prime minister, who is bound [by the Constitution], takes any initiative in amending it."
One House of Councillors member of the CDPJ added, "The prime minister should show self-restraint and withhold from making remarks on constitutional revision," citing the obligation imposed on the prime minister for respecting and upholding the Constitution.
Avoid political strife
It is not contradictory between upholding the Constitution and revising it in line with procedures set under the top law. Even though the prime minister is taking the lead in amending the Constitution, constitutional problems will not arise.
Diet members are also obliged to uphold the Constitution. When the logic of the opposition parties is considered, that could result in restricting constitutional debate in the Diet as well. The criticism by the opposition parties is irrelevant.
Under the so-called 1955 system centering on confrontation between conservatives and progressives, the mood in which remarks on constitutional revision were considered taboo arose.
After the end of the Cold War, movements calling for constitutional revision became active and the research commissions on the Constitution, the predecessors of the commissions on the Constitution, were established at the Diet in 2000. Since then, political parties have been trying to share their awareness of the issue through the sorting out of focal points on the issue and other efforts.
Such a development must not be allowed to go in reverse by turning the issue into a political strife.
The LDP hopes to launch free debate after a proposal to revise the National Referendum Law, which stipulates procedures for constitutional revision, is approved by the Diet at an early date. There must be no objection to the contents of the proposal intended to improve the convenience of voting.
The opposition camp has called for stricter regulations on televised advertisements by political parties, among other measures. Activities for a national referendum should be free from restrictions in principle, but the LDP should try to find common ground with the opposition parties.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,
Nov. 10, 2018)
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